Mentor Millennials with the Gift of… Connections Recently I was quoted in a Forbes article on "the best presents for the millennials in your life." My suggestion was an introduction/meeting/connection with someone who could be important to the young person's career. It received a lot of positive reaction — especially among ambitious millennials eag...

[caption id="attachment_327" align="alignnone" width="350"] Photo: Todd ShoemakeFor a few days I found myself staying at the same hotel as the New England Patriots football team. Naturally, I took every opportunity possible to engage in conversation whether in the elevator, lobby, workout room, or restaurant.When they found out I was an executive coach — interested in parallels in athletic coaching — various players were open to telling me their opinion. Repeatedly they wanted to make clear that playing football isn't a game to them, it's their job. In high school and college it was a game, but pro football is their profession as “money is the big motivator just like any business."They told me they don't need or look for motivation and locker room pep talks from their coach (again, that’s for high school and college). As one player said, "So many people want to be NFL players that we're pretty self motivated.” What they want from coaching is: Technique and skill development (with both verbal and visual explanations) Good direction that covers all contingencies and keeps them from going in unprepared Honest and loyal encouragementAnd like you, they prefer not to be yelled at.- Debra